Can vitiligo be stopped or controlled from spreading?

24years Saniya suddenly developed white skin on her face and it was increasing in size. She had never been unwell in her life and she had always been very active. She had a great love for fashion designing and would actively help her friends with new clothing style and designs. The depigmented patch on the face had become a social stigma for her. She had great faith in homeopathy and started with her homeopathic treatment with her family homeopathic doctor and was told that she suffered from Vitiligo. It took her 3 years to get re-pigmentation in the de-pigmented areas which are otherwise very difficult to achieve results by any other modes of treatment. She continued vitiligo treatment for another 5years and it never recurred.

Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder as it causes the pigment making cells /color giving cells of the skin to deteriorate to produce milky white patches. Occurrence is equal in both sexes and all ages. Exact cause of Vitiligo is unknown but the probable triggering factors are genetics, emotional trauma such as stress, anxiety, fear. Vitiligo can be associated with thyroid, diabetes or any other auto-immune disease. In Vitiligo there is a destruction of the skin pigment cells (melanocyte), which gives skin and hair it’s color through the formation of melanin (skin pigmentation). Melanin protects the skin from harmful effects of UV rays produced by the sun. Vitiligo patches can occur anywhere on the body. Vitiligo is generally found on sun-exposed areas of the body – hands, feet, arms, face and lips. Other areas for the patches may be armpits, groin, the mouth, eye, nostril, navel, genitals and the rectum. Presentation may feature in the following patterns:

1. Focal pattern: This refers to de-pigmentation limited to one or just a few areas.
2. Segmental pattern: Depigmented patches on one side of the body.
3. Generalized pattern: Depigmentation occurs evenly on both sides of the body. This is the most common form.

Vitiligo affects not only one’s emotional state but also one’s psychological well-being, familial or social life, career and also self-esteem. People with vitiligo are more susceptible to sunburn and also skin cancer.

Vitiligo treatment with Homeopathy

Homeopathic medicines are natural and have no side-effects unlike conventional medicine which could cause severe burns and blistering. Homeopathic medicine has long lasting results unlike short term results seen in conventional medicines. Homeopathic medicine is prescribed on individual case history so the underlying stress can be effectively treated with homeopathy which can bring about a positive result in the Vitiligo treatment. If the disease is not controlled it can recur. Homeopathy helps to correct the melanin destruction thus prevents recurrence of the disease. Homeopathic medicine helps to trigger re-pigmentation and corrects the altered immune response. If Homeopathy is considered as a treatment option in the early stage of the disease, then the overall control of the disease in future is much better. In any skin infection, there is often an underlying psychosomatic factor. Homeopathy can help treat this factor very effectively without causing dependence or addiction. Homeopathy helps to improve health-related quality of life.